Helping your child put the finishing touches on their very first drum. Building an assembled nurse log from woody debris, ash, and silvicompost. Getting to know traditional medicine plants on a forest garden walk. Rolling up your sleeves and getting hands-on experience in processing and preserving locally-harvested venison. Making jewelry from invasive species. Accessing cutting-edge industry faller training to practice local, sustainable forestry. Coming together over a hot meal to share knowledge about environmental stewardship across generations, cultures, and island communities.
Elder Marvin Wilson proudly displays a drum crafted by a participant during a drum-making workshop – an experience rooted in culture, learning, and community
What do all of these experiences have in common? They’re just a handful of the many remarkable moments shared by community members who participated in the first year of the Galiano Conservancy’s new Restoring the Balance (RTB) Program.
Restoring the Balance, or Q’úyél q’úwen in Hul’qumi’num, has been nothing short of transformative for the Galiano Conservancy. As we’ve shared in previous updates, the goal of RTB is to improve forest ecosystems through community-driven and Indigenous-led stewardship. This initiative seeks to advance reconciliation by building capacity in ecological restoration, while directly addressing the imbalances caused by decades of clear-cut forestry, fire suppression, and unsustainable deer populations.
Trainees from the Industry Faller’s Training engage in safety activities during the 30 day Faller’s training
At the heart of the project is a commitment to Indigenous leadership—especially in the realms of hunting, land stewardship, and ecological knowledge. By centering Indigenous perspectives and community-based expertise, Restoring the Balance aims not only to heal damaged ecosystems but to repair relationships between people and the land.
As project co-leads, the success of the program’s first year has exceeded our expectations. What began as an ambitious collaboration has already demonstrated what becomes possible when communities guide restoration efforts rooted in cultural knowledge, scientific understanding, and respect for the land. Participants have engaged in hands-on training, knowledge sharing, and active stewardship practices that are already producing visible ecological and social benefits. On-the-ground efforts at the Quadra Hill Nature Reserve and in the Galiano Community Forest are demonstrating what is possible as the program expands in future years.
Reflecting on this year’s successes and planning for the year ahead, we want to express our deep gratitude for the support we’ve received from the community. This project thrives because of the people who stand behind it. Together, we are helping to bring culture, connection, and balance back to Galiano’s forests through shared stewardship and solidarity. With continued community engagement and the powerful expression of Indigenous leadership, these programs will only grow stronger in the years to come.
Participants work together to create Assembled Nurse Logs – structures designed to replicate fallen mature trees and store nutrient-rich decay to the forest floor
On behalf of Restoring the Balance and everyone at the Galiano Conservancy Association, we wish you and your loved ones the very best this holiday season. Your support, generosity, and shared commitment to the land continue to inspire the work we do. We also wish to thank the Gencon Foundation, which has made this 5-year project possible, as well as other funders and partners who have contributed to various aspects of the project this year: Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, Canadian Heritage, Heritage BC through the Heritage Legacy Fund, Ecclesiastical Community Impact Grant, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Fund, BC Wildlife Federation, the Galiano Club, and the Access to Media Education Society.
For more information about Restoring the Balance, to become involved, or to be added to our email list, please contact us at: rtb@galianoconservancy.ca
Adam Huggins and Bobbi-Jo Basarab, project Co-Coordinators
